Where Red Sox reportedly stand on removing Chad Tracy’s interim manager title

The Boston Red Sox have gone from one of the most disappointing clubs in baseball this season to arguably its best over the second half of the 2026 season, posting a 38-13 record since June 25.

Boston’s sustained surge has been fueled by several factors working in its favor. But, it’s hard to ignore the impact that interim manager Chad Tracy has had since taking over for Alex Cora at the end of April.

Even with the initial struggles that both Tracy and the Red Sox faced after Boston fired Cora and several members of his coaching staff just a month into a new season, Tracy’s stewardship has drawn plenty of praise in the subsequent months.

The Red Sox are 61-42 since Tracy took the helm as interim manager, with the former WooSox manager tabbed as one of the favorites for the AL Manager of the Year Award.

But, Boston has not removed Tracy’s interim tag and made him the club’s full-time manager for the long haul. 

According to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, the writing is seemingly on the wall that Tracy will earn the permanent role in Boston’s dugout. But, the Red Sox and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow aren’t necessarily rushing with that move as they continue to make a push toward postseason baseball.

“At this time, a baseball source said over the weekend, Tracy getting Boston’s full-time managerial position before next season is more likely than not,” Cotillo wrote. “Still, the Red Sox, at least at this point, appear intent on being deliberate in their decision-making process. 

“Breslow, in conversations about pending decisions, has often cited Falkland’s Law, a psychological principle which states that not every decision requires immediate action. It appears the club may be comfortable waiting until a decision is actually needed — at some point after the season — before making one.”

Speaking on WEEI last week, Red Sox utility player Anthony Seigler voiced his support for Tracy getting the full-time nod, commending the 41-year-old manager for his ability to read the mood of the clubhouse, put players in position to succeed, balance playing time, and help an influx of younger talent find their footing at baseball’s highest level. 

“I think everybody would love for it to be away from where it is now,” Seigler said of the interim label. “I think he’s done a great job with us. He knows what we need to do. He knows how our bodies feel consistently. So for him to adjust schedules and just being able to talk to us and slow everybody down is huge. 

“I think it would be an honor for him to take that away and just give him that manager title. He’s done a great job. I love him. I think I can speak for everybody in that clubhouse that he’s done a wonderful job of handling the situation. He hasn’t made it too big. He’s just helping bring us together and just win.”

Despite Boston’s now-established track record of torching the competition throughout the second half of this season, Tracy has largely deflected many questions about his status in Boston as a full-time manager — focusing more on the task at hand with his team.

Speaking to Cotillo, Tracy acknowledged that he and the Red Sox front office have not discussed a switch to a full-time managerial role at length so far this year. 

“We haven’t gotten into it a whole lot yet,” Tracy told Cotillo. “I know that if and when the time comes, Brez will come to me. I talk to Brez every day. The communication and structure there is outstanding. We’re in sync and focused on what we’re doing. If the time comes, I know he’ll come to me if it gets there.”

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.